17 Advertising Signs That Became Popular As Collectibles

The United States of America has produced many memorable advertising signs over the years. These signs often feature vibrant colors, bold graphics, and catchy slogans. They evoke nostalgia for bygone eras capturing the essence of a particular brand.

Due to their historical value, old advertising signs have become popular as collectibles.

Dr. Morse’s Indian Root Pills

Image Credit: Adobe Stock

Dr. Morse’s Indian Root Pills were a popular patented medicine in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The medicine claimed to cure a wide range of ailments. The advertising sign features bold lettering and imagery of a Native American figure. The descriptive image reinforced the product’s association with traditional herbal remedies.

Dr Pepper

Image Credit: Adobe Stock

Dr Pepper has been around in the USA since the late 19th century. People loved this drink for its fruity-spicy flavor. This soft drink brand was popular for its catchy slogans and advertisements. Dr Pepper Original Tin Litho Chalkboard Sign from the 1940s brings back nostalgia. The bright red-yellow sign is a cherished collectible today.

Coca-Cola

Image Credit: Adobe Stock

The iconic Coca-Cola signs are a timeless piece of Americana. The history of the Coca-Cola signs goes back to the 19th Century. The classic advertisement features a red background adorned with distinctive white cursive lettering. The advertising signs have become a sought-after collectible now. Coca-Cola’s widespread popularity and nostalgic appeal

Texaco

Image Credit: Adobe Stock

The classic Texaco sign has a bright red star and a green ‘T’ against a white background. It evokes images of vintage gas stations and the heyday of road trips. This major oil company used catchy advertisements to promote its various products. Some advertisements go back to  as early as 1903. The classic Texaco sign reminds us of the golden age of American automotive culture.

Shell

Image Credit: Adobe Stock

The Shell sign features the instantly recognizable yellow scallop shell emblem. It is a symbol of one of the world’s largest oil companies. Its vibrant colors and sleek design make it a popular choice among collectors. Many sign enthusiasts value the sign for its historical significance and enduring appeal.

Budweiser

Image Credit: Adobe Stock

Budweiser is one of the most favorite beers in America. The Budweiser sign often features the brand’s iconic red and gold combination logo with calligraphy writing. This sign is synonymous with beer culture in the United States. Collectors love these signs for their bold graphics and the long associated history.

Sinclair

Image Credit: Adobe Stock

The original Sinclair sign features the iconic green dinosaur mascot known as ‘Dino’. These signs appeared in the USA around the 1930s. It is a beloved symbol of the Sinclair Oil Corporation. Collectors praise Sinclair signs for the heritage flavor and whimsical charm. The ‘Sinclair Dino’ has become popular for its trendy slogans.

Route 66

Image Credit: Adobe Stock

Route 66, or the ‘Mother Road’, was one of the original highways in the U.S. Highway System. The Route 66 sign bears the iconic shield-shaped design and the legendary highway’s name. This sign is a symbol of America’s open road and the freedom of travel. The Route 66 advertisements mainly attracted motorists and businesses along the long highway.

Ford

Image Credit: Adobe Stock

The modern Ford sign carries the famous blue oval logo and the name of the automotive giant. The first Ford advertisement came out in 1904, creating a sensation all over the USA. It is a symbol of American ingenuity and innovation in the realm of transportation. Over the years, Ford produced several historic advertisements that eventually became collectibles.

Chevrolet

Image Credit: Adobe Stock

The Chevrolet advertising sign typically features the brand’s distinctive logo. The stylized bowtie emblem is common in many of the historic advertisements of the company. The 1950s Chevrolet ‘Chevy Boy’ advertisement is a prized possession of many collectors. The sign features a young boy wearing a red cap and driving a Chevrolet car.

Harley-Davidson

Image Credit: Deposit Photos

The Harley-Davidson sign often features the company’s iconic bar-and-shield logo. The strikingly attractive advertisement is a symbol of freedom, adventure, and the open road. Collectors covet these signs for the spirit of the American biker. The earliest Harley-Davidson advertisements go back to the 1930s.

Jack Daniel’s

Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Over the years, Jack Daniel’s has become ingrained in American culture. This brand appears in films, television shows, music lyrics, and whatnot. The Jack Daniel’s sign has a classic black-and-white color scheme. It features an attractive old-timey typography. The original advertisement portrays a picturesque scene of Jack Daniel’s distillery. The focus is in the Tennessee countryside.

Goodrich

Image Credits: Adobe Stock

Goodrich Corporation (formerly known as B.F. Goodrich Company) is a major American tire and rubber company. The advertisement signs of this company often featured eye-catching visuals. The signs are particularly famous for their bold graphics and simple messaging. They are quite popular among collectors for their vintage appeal.

Oldsmobile

Image Credit: Adobe Stock

Oldsmobile was a popular American automobile brand under the General Motors umbrella. The original Oldsmobile sign had an inspiring message for automobile enthusiasts. Later signs featured a classic rocket emblem and colorful cars. Collectors appreciate these signs for their nostalgic appeal.

Mitchell’s “Golden Dawn” Cigarettes

Image Credit: Adobe Stock

Mitchell’s “Golden Dawn” cigarettes were a brand of cigarettes in the early 20th century. This brand was a product of the Mitchell Tobacco Company. The “Golden Dawn” cigarette advertisements often featured elegant pictures. During WWI, the brand’s advertisements had war-based themes.

Cadillac

Image Credit: Adobe Stock

Cadillac is an iconic American luxury automobile brand. The advertisement signs of Cadillac have been innovative in slogans and designs since the beginning. The most sought-after Cadillac advertisements have the slogan “Standard Of The World”. Other popular advertisements have the Cadillac authorized service motto. Collectible enthusiasts love the wide array of Cadillac advertisements to date.

Piggly Wiggly

Image Credit: Adobe Stock

Piggly Wiggly is often credited as the first self-service grocery store in the USA. The first advertisements of this store take us back to the early 20th century. Piggly Wiggly was the first store where customers could select their own items. The advertisement signs promoted the self-service facility. Most Piggly Wiggly advertisements featured the beloved mascot and quirky slogans.

Scroll to Top